Balls of DNA Could Fix Geothermal Energy's Biggest Problem
Shara Tonn for Wired.com: Geothermal Power has the potential to be cheap, reliable, and abundant—running off the heat of the Earth 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That’s especially true thanks to a new generation of home-grown geothermal plants, which don’t run off the steam of natural hot springs and geysers. No need to find those hydrothermal gems; today, geothermal engineers are making their own reservoirs by drilling down into hot rock and pumping in water.
The catch? Engineers can’t see what’s happening underground. Drilling wells in just the right spot can be like playing golf blindfolded: Even if someone faces you in the right direction, you could still hit the ball way off the green. But tiny fragments of DNA dropped into the wells could soon help engineers follow the path of water underground, helping them sink their putts every time.
In a basic geothermal plant set-up, engineers actually have to drill two types of wells. The first kind, which goes down two or three miles, carries cold water down deep, where it fractures the hot rock and creates new paths for water to move. It’s kind of like fracking, but without the chemicals. Cont'd...
Balls of DNA Could Fix Geothermal Energy's Biggest Problem
Shara Tonn for Wired.com: Geothermal Power has the potential to be cheap, reliable, and abundant—running off the heat of the Earth 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That’s especially true thanks to a new generation of home-grown geothermal plants, which don’t run off the steam of natural hot springs and geysers. No need to find those hydrothermal gems; today, geothermal engineers are making their own reservoirs by drilling down into hot rock and pumping in water.
The catch? Engineers can’t see what’s happening underground. Drilling wells in just the right spot can be like playing golf blindfolded: Even if someone faces you in the right direction, you could still hit the ball way off the green. But tiny fragments of DNA dropped into the wells could soon help engineers follow the path of water underground, helping them sink their putts every time.
In a basic geothermal plant set-up, engineers actually have to drill two types of wells. The first kind, which goes down two or three miles, carries cold water down deep, where it fractures the hot rock and creates new paths for water to move. It’s kind of like fracking, but without the chemicals. Cont'd...
Fortune 100 Executive Authors Cloud Convergence Strategy Book
Fortune 100 Executive Writes Business Transformation Strategy Book for Today's New Technology Paradigms.
Genera Energy Nominated for the 2015 Biofuels Hot 40 List
Biomass feedstock industry leader aims to repeat honor of being named one of the 40 hottest companies in the advanced bioeconomy
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The International Bioenergy (Shanghai) Exhibition and Asian Bioenergy Conference
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Exclusive new interview released with ESWET - European Suppliers of Waste to Energy Technology
An interview with Guillaume Perron-Pich©, Policy Officer, European Suppliers of Waste to Energy Technology
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Introduction of biofuels is proceeding so quickly, that the environmental risks of biofuel production are being disregarded. Without careful and thorough assessment and regulation, the promise of biofuels may well be delayed.
GCUBE UNVEILS WEATHER RISK TRANSFER MECHANISM
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Greenpeace Report Finds 100 Percent Renewable Energy Possible by 2050
Global phase out of fossil fuels would cover necessary investment in renewables
GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo Welcomes World's Largest Annual Geothermal Energy Gathering
September 20-23 at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno, Nevada, USA
After Years of Lying Dormant, the Geothermal Market is Ready to Take Off
Though the potential and power of geothermal energy is massive, setting up a large-scale plant to harness this energy is not an easy goal.
Renewable Energy Group Holds Ribbon Cutting for Grays Harbor, WA Biorefinery
Local leaders welcomed REG to the area business community.
New clean energy technology debuts in Placer County
In its first public demonstration, G4 used gas produced on site to fuel an unmodified Placer County truck.
Vertimass Retains Technip for the Development of Their Proprietary Technology to Convert Alcohol to Renewable Fuels Compatible with Current Infrastructure
International energy leader to assist in scaling Vertimass technology for commercial use with gasoline, diesel and jet fuel blend stocks
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